Bob Burt (1858-1936) was born on a farm near Fergus, Ontario, Canada; when eighteen years old he went to Boston, MA, where he worked for a shipping firm that shipped Canadian cattle in bond thru Boston for delivery in London. He also worked for the Canadian Pacific Railroad. In 1882 he came to Dakota Territory and worked as a carpenter until he was appointed Chief of Police by Mayor A. H. Gray, and he was in that position for twenty-two years. In 1906 he bought the old school building and made it into the "5th Avenue Hotel". He and Inga Axelson (1871-1927) were married in 1906 and ran the hotel until 1927 when they sold to the Carlson Brothers. They had no children but raised three nieces. He was "Mr. Policeman" and Valley City children thought all police were called Bob Burt. There is a story told concerning his trips to Fargo when Co. "G" was camped there waiting for orders to go to the Philippines, he was generous in giving dollars here and there to the boys (not lending) and that the amount came to at least $150.00.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 42